What practical steps can we take to uphold God's commands in our community? The Example of Josiah’s Zeal “ He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, and cut down the Asherah poles, and covered their sites with human bones.” (2 Kings 23:14) Josiah did not negotiate with idolatry—he eliminated it. His uncompromising action gives us a pattern for how to uphold God’s commands in our own setting. Recognizing Modern Idolatry Before we act, we have to see what competes with God’s rule today. Idols can hide in plain sight: • Pursuit of wealth at any cost • Entertainment that normalizes sin • Sexual immorality marketed as freedom • Self-promotion over holiness • Traditions that override Scripture Exodus 20:3-4: “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol.” 1 John 5:21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” Practical Steps to Remove Idols Today Josiah’s methods were physical and visible; ours can be equally tangible. • Clean House: Remove books, media, subscriptions, or décor that glorify sin (Acts 19:18-20). • Cut Ties: End relationships or business practices that entice compromise (2 Corinthians 6:17). • Redirect Funds: Cancel expenditures that feed ungodly industries; invest in gospel work instead. • Replace, Don’t Just Remove: Fill the gap with Scripture reading, worship music, and wholesome fellowship (Philippians 4:8). Building a Culture of Obedience After tearing down idols, Josiah renewed covenant worship. We can cultivate the same environment: 1. Center Everything on Scripture • Regular public reading (1 Timothy 4:13) • Bible-saturated conversation in homes and gatherings 2. Celebrate Obedience Publicly • Share testimonies of victory over sin • Honor faithfulness, not popularity 3. Strengthen Accountability • Small groups that speak truth in love (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Leaders who model repentance first 4. Teach the Next Generation • Family devotions (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) • Youth discipleship focused on holiness, not entertainment Guarding Against Drift Josiah’s reforms failed to outlast him because later leaders relaxed. Ongoing vigilance is essential. • Annual spiritual inventory for the congregation • Periodic fasting and repentance days (Joel 2:12-13) • Continual training of new leaders in sound doctrine (2 Timothy 2:2) Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Deuteronomy 12:3—God’s people must “destroy their altars... and burn their Asherah poles.” • Joshua 24:14-15—“Choose this day whom you will serve.” • 1 Corinthians 10:14—“Flee from idolatry.” • James 4:8—“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” When the community sees believers who, like Josiah, act decisively, the commands of God cease to be mere words and become a compelling, living standard for everyone around us. |
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